Holden`s efforts to save his sister Phoebe from adult`s decadences in the novel of The Catcher in The Rye.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

HOLDEN’S EFFORTS TO SAVE HIS SISTER PHOEBE
FROM ADULT’S DECADENCES IN THE NOVEL OF
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education

By
Yosephin Dian Sarimastuti
Student Number: 071214137

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

HOLDEN’S EFFORTS TO SAVE HIS SISTER PHOEBE
FROM ADULT’S DECADENCES IN THE NOVEL OF
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education

By
Yosephin Dian Sarimastuti
Student Number: 071214137

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA
2012
i

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ii

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

iii

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY

I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the
work or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and
the references, as a scientific paper should.

Yogyakarta, 13 September 2012
The Writer

Yosephin Dian Sarimastuti
071214137

iv

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS

Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama

: Yosephin Dian Sarimastuti

Nomor Mahasiswa : 071214137
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan

Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:

HOLDEN’S EFFORTS TO SAVE HIS SISTER PHOEBE
FROM ADULT’S DECADENCES IN THE NOVEL OF
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,
mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan
data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau
media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya
maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya
sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanngal: 25 September 2012
Yang menyatakan

(Yosephin Dian Sarimastuti)

v

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ABSTRACT

Sarimastuti, Yosephin Dian. 2012. Holden’s Efforts to Save His Sister Phoebe
from Adul’s Decadences in the Novel of The Catcher in the Rye. Yogyakarta:
English Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts
Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma
University.
This study concerns with the novel The Catcher in the Rye which is
written by J.D. Salinger. This novel tells about Holden’s journey after he is
flunked out from his school. During his journey, he finds many phony people.
That makes him depressed. The one who makes him happy is his sister, Phoebe.
In other hand, he wants to be the catcher in the rye. Based on the meaning of the
catcher in the rye, it is realized that Holden wants to save the children from adult’s
decadences.
The aim of this study is to find out all Holden’s efforts to save the
children, especially his sister Phoebe. Therefore, there are two problem
formulations to be analyzed. 1) How Holden Caulfield is portrayed in the novel

The Catcher in the Rye? 2) How does Holden make efforts to save the children
especially Phoebe?
To complete this study, the method used is library research. This library
research uses a primary source, the novel of The Catcher in the Rye, and second
sources, the books and articles from the internet. Furthermore, for analyzing those
problem formulations, the writer applies some theories. These theories are theory
of character, theory of characterization, theory of personality and theory of
motivation. The approach that is used in this study is psychological approach.
The findings of this study are, first, Holden is stubborn, dishonest,
insecure, imaginative and immature. He is also caring for children. Secondly, he is
erased the words of “fuck you” and he became the catcher in the rye. Those
efforts are aimed to prevent the children from falling in the adult’s decadences.
Finally, it is suggested that future researchers explore the theme of the
novel. It is also recommended that the novel be used as the material for teaching
Prose II at English Language Education Study Program.

vi

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ABSTRAK

Sarimastuti, Yosephin Dian. 2012. Holden’s Efforts to Save His Sister Phoebe
from Adul’s Decadences in the Novel of The Catcher in the Rye. Yogyakarta:
Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu
Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini membahas novel The Catcher in the Rye karangan J.D. Salinger.
Novel ini menceritakan tentang perjalanan Holden setelah dia dikeluarkan dari
sekolahnya, Pencey Prep. Selama perjalanannya, Holden menemukan banyak
orang yang palsu. Hal itu membuat dia depresi. Salah seorang yang bisa membuat
dia bahagia adalah adiknya Phoebe. Di samping itu, Holden ingin menjadi
penangkap di ladang gandum. Berdasarkan arti penangkap di ladang gandum , hal
ini dapat sadari bahwa Holden ingin menyelamatkan anak-anak dari dekadensi
orang dewasa.
Maksud dari studi ini adalah untuk menemukan semua usaha Holden
dalam menyelamatkan anak-anak kecil terutama adiknya Phoebe. Oleh karena itu,
ada dua rumusan masalah untuk dianalisa. 1) Bagaimana Holden digambarkan
dalam novel The Catcher in the Rye? 2) Bagaimana Holden menciptakan usahausahanya dalam menyelamatkan anak-anak kecil terutama Phoebe?
Untuk menyelesaikan studi ini, metode yang digunakan adalah studi
pustaka. Studi pustaka ini menggunakan novel The Catcher in the Rye sebagai

data utama dan buku-buku serta artikel-artikel sebagai data tambahan.
Selanjutnya, untuk menganalisa rumusan masalah tersebut, penulis menggunakan
beberapa teori. Teori-teori tersebut adalah teori karakter, teori karakterisasi, teori
kepribadian dan teori motivasi. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam studi ini adalah
pendekatan psikologi.
Hasil-hasil penemuan dari studi ini adalah, pertama, Holden itu keras
kepala, tidak jujur, tidak merasa aman, imajinatif dan tidak dewasa. Dia peduli
terhadap anak-anak. Kedua, dia menghapus tulisan “fuck you” dan dia menjadi
seorang penangkap di ladang gandum. Usaha-usaha tersebut dimaksudkan untuk
mencegah anak-anak kecil terjerumus ke dalam dekadensi orang dewasa.
Akhirnya, studi ini disarankan bagi peneliti-peneliti mendatang untuk
memperluas tema dari novel tersebut. Studi ini juga direkomendasikan bahwa
novel tersebut dapat digunakan sebagai bahan materi dalam mengajar Prose II di
prodi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris.

vii

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

THIS THESIS IS PRESENTED AND DEDICATED TO

MY PARENTS, MY SISTERS, MY BROTHERS,
MY NIECE, MY NEPHEW, AND MY FRIENDS.

viii

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This thesis becomes a final project as a requirement for completing the
study in English Language Education Study Program. This thesis is dedicated for
them who have supported me both morally and spiritually. Without their help and
support, this thesis will be never finished.
I would like to praise and glorify Jesus Christ My Savior for his love that
always guides me so that I could complete my thesis. I give sincere gratitude to
my sponsor, Dr. Antonius Herujiyanto M.A., for his guidance, time, and
suggestions. All his guidance and suggestions are very helpful to complete this
final project. To all PBI’s staff, I would like to thank you for supporting and
facilitating many things so I that I can complete my thesis.
I also give greatest gratitude to my family. To my beloved mom,

Bernadetta Sutini, and my beloved dad, Ignatius Kasiran, I would like to thank
you for their prayers, love, motivation and attention. To my beloved sisters and
brothers, mbak Hanik mas Ipung and mbak Dewi mas Noer, I would like to thank
you for their supports and motivations. To my cute niece and nephew, Kinan and
Michael, I would like to thank for making me laughed and smiled.
All my friends, mba La, Asty, mba Bra, Hayak, Rara, Dei, Rian, Henink,
Seto, Tomi, mushroom squads, I would like to thank you for supporting me and
making me laughed. Mbak La, Mbak Bra, and Rian thanks for correcting my
thesis. To Joshua, I would like to thank you for lending me a novel The Catcher in
the Rye. To Ria, Zipho, Tri, I would like to thank you for the motivations. To

ix

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

beloved Rahmad Alfiano, I would like to thank you for always supporting and
encouraging me to complete my thesis.
To my favorite Punk songs from NOFX, Rancid, Streetlight Manifesto,
Mad Caddies, Operation Ivy, Anti-Flag, Reel Big Fish, Descendents, The Forces
of Evil, and The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, I would like to thank you for

accompanying me and triggering my adrenaline to complete my thesis.

Yosephin Dian Sarimastuti

x

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ...................................................................................................i
PAGES OF APPROVAL ................................................................................ii
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ..............................................iv
PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ..............................................v
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................vi
ABSTRAK ........................................................................................................vii
PAGE OF DEDICATIONS ........................................................................... viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................xi
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................1
1.1 Background of the Study ......................................................1
1.2 Objective of the Study ..........................................................4
1.3 Problem Formulation ............................................................4
1.4 Definition of Terms ..............................................................4
1.4.1 Adult’s Decadences ....................................................5
1.4.2 Effort ..........................................................................6
1.4.3 True Meaning of The Catcher in the Rye .....................6
1.4.4 Save ............................................................................7
CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ...............................9
2.1 Theoretical Review ..............................................................9
2.1.1 Theory of Character ....................................................9

xi

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

2.1.1.1 The Definition of Character ............................10
2.1.1.2 The Types of Character ...................................11
2.1.2 Theory of Characterization .........................................11
2.1.3 Psychological Approach .............................................13
2.1.4 Theory of Personality .................................................14
2.1.4.1 Introvert ..........................................................14
2.1.4.2 Extrovert .........................................................15
2.1.4.3 The Balance between Introvert and Extrovert...15
2.1.5 Theory of Motivation ..................................................17
2.2 Criticisms .............................................................................20
2.3 Theoretical Framework .........................................................21
2.4 Context of the Novel ............................................................22
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ...................................................................24
3.1 Subject Matter ......................................................................24
3.2 Approach ..............................................................................25
3.3 Procedures ............................................................................25
CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS ...............................................................................27
4.1 The Portrayal of Holden’s Characters ...................................27
4.1.1 Stubborn .....................................................................28
4.1.2 Dishonest ....................................................................29
4.1.3 Insecure ......................................................................34
4.1.4 Imaginative .................................................................39
4.1.5 Immature ....................................................................45

xii

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

4.1.6 Caring for Children .....................................................47
4.2 Holden’s Efforts for Saving Children Especially Phoebe ......51
4.2.1 Literal Meaning of Holden’s Efforts ...........................52
4.2.1.1 Introvert ..........................................................52
4.2.2 True Meaning of Holden’s Efforts ..............................54
4.2.2.1 Motivations ....................................................55
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS .................................63
5.1 Conclusions ..........................................................................63
5.2 Suggestions ..........................................................................65
5.2.1 Suggestions for Future Research .................................65
5.2.2 Suggestions for Teaching Prose II ...............................66
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................67
APPENDICES .................................................................................................70
Appendix 1 Summary of the novel The Catcher in the Rye .........71
Appendix 2 Biography of J.D. Salinger ......................................75
Appendix 3 Syllabus Prose II .....................................................77
Appendix 4 Lesson Plan .............................................................79
Appendix 5 Task I ......................................................................80
Appendix 6 Chapter 1 of the novel The Catcher in the Rye .........81
Appendix 7 Chapter 2 of the novel The Catcher in the Rye .........85

xiii

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with Background of the Study, Objective of the Study,
Problem Formulations of the Study, and Definition of Terms. Background of the
study discusses the topic which the writer chooses. The writer explains briefly
about the matters related to the topic. Next is objective of the study. In this part,
the writer explains the point of the study. After clarifying the objective of the
study, the writer elaborates problem formulations. In this part, the writer states
two problems that will be discussed more in this study. The last part of this
chapter is definition of term. In this part, the writer explains some terms that can
help the reader to understand the analysis of this study easier.

1.1 Background of the Study
Children are the young generations that still need love for their life
continuance. Benjamin (2008), a writer in Helium’s website, in her writing of
Why Children Need Love and Protection, says that children need love and
protection because they are vulnerable. Children cannot yet take care of
themselves. Benjamin also states that the reasons why children need love and
protection are psychological, spiritual and physical wellbeing; happiness and
safety; inner strength, confidence and self-esteem; a life free of fear and worries;
and also securing bright future. The writer also sees that love is really important
for children. Kassamali, a writer of A Child’s need for Love and their Self-esteem,
1

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

2
says that love given to a child is more important than any material goods the
family can provide. Besides that, Hagel (2010), a writer of Children Need
Guidance…Not Controlling, also says that children need their parent’s guidance
to help them make positive choice. They need good guidance for getting good life
in the future. Especially in behavior, children have to be led to construct and have
good morals. In constructing good moral, children need older people to
accompany and lead them. They need more attention from older people, because
children are easy to be influenced by their circumstance. In this condition, older
people have to really care about children’s development by giving better guidance
to them, so that they can take good things from that guidance. In other case, when
older people cannot give and lead children with love and good moral, the
children’s growth will be disturbed. They will imitate bad behavior from older
people. According to Nauret (2010), in his article Modeling Behavior for Children
Has Long-lasting Effects, he says that children can copy everything when adults
show them. Therefore, older people have to really care about children’s moral
development.
Nowadays, there are many children who are influenced by adult’s
decadences, for example using bad words when they are talking, lying to seek the
safety, and others. Many people do not care about this condition because they are
too busy to manage themselves. It is also because of the influences of technology
development. Consequently, children are also influenced to use modern
technology not in a proper way because they do not get proper guidance from
their parents. The examples of that phenomenon are watching television, and

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

3
using cell phone or internet. When they use cell phone and internet, they also can
get bad information like getting porn site and others. It is proved that today many
people do not monitor their children well. Parents or older people are too busy to
work or take care of themselves. Kak Zepe, in his article Pergaulan Anak
Dipengaruhi oleh Pola Asuh Orang Tua (forum.kompas.com), says that if the
parents are too busy at work, it can also bring bad effects to the children. The
children will lack of love and attention. In this case, the writer is triggered to care
about children.
The writer also finds about caring for children’s growth through the novel
by J.D. Salinger. The title of the novel is The Cather in the Rye. The novel is
talking about a journey of life of the main character, namely Holden Caulfield. He
always moves from one school to the other schools. The last school is Pencey
Prep. Nevertheless, at Pencey Prep, Holden is also kicked out because he fails in
some subjects. Then, Holden’s journey is started. Holden tells about his life that is
full of adventures, problems, and foolishness. He meets many people and he
assumes that they are phonies. It makes him in a depression situation. Most of
those people are adult. Later on, Holden can feel better when he is with his sister,
Phoebe. Even, he feels better when he hears a song that is sung by a little boy.
Holden feels that children is still pure and naturally happy different with adults
that he meets. Adults are full of phoniness. Holden will not let the children are
influenced into adult’s behaviors. The writer finds out that adult’ behaviors can
give bad effects to children. Later on, the writer is inspired to the main character
because Holden cares about the children. It can be seen from his brave statement

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

4
that he wants to be the catcher in the rye. The writer is also interested to discuss
Holden’s efforts to save children, especially Phoebe from adult’s behavior. The
writer realizes that adult’s behavior in the novel can be mentioned as adult’s
decadences. Besides that, the writer sees that Holden’s spirit to save the children,
especially his sister, is rarely found in this era.

1.2 Objective of the Study
The aim of this study is to discover all of the efforts that are done by
Holden, the main character of the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger,
to save the children, especially his sister, Phoebe, from the cruel world or from the
adult’s decadences.

1.3 Problem Formulations
To assist the readers to understand more clearly about the topic in this
study, there are two questions that are relevant to be analyzed:
1. How is Holden Caulfield portrayed in “The Catcher in the Rye”?
2. How does Holden make efforts to save the children, especially Phoebe,
from the adult’s decadences?

1.4 Definition of Terms
These are some terms that will be explained. Moreover, these terms can
help the reader to understand the study better. By knowing the meaning of the

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

5
terms, the reader can also be easier to get the point of this study. These terms
include Adult’s Decadence, Effort, True meaning of The Catcher in the Rye, and
Save.

1.4.1 Adult’s Decadences
Decadence is a word that comes from Latin. It is cadere, which has a
meaning to fall or sink. According to www.vocabulary-vocabulary.com,
decadence is used to state that something is in decay condition. The common

definition of decadence is a state of decay or decline in moral values or morality.
Decadence also has some synonyms. They are corruption, decline, degeneration,
deterioration, devolution, downfall, and regression. According to Oxford
Learner’s Pocket Dictionary, decadence is noun from decadent (adjective).
Decadent is showing a fall in moral standards.
In this study, adult’s decadence can be meant as a fall in moral. It can be
seen in the people that Holden meets in every place and also can be found inside
Holden’s character. The writer finds some adult’s decadences such as phoniness,
bad words, and free sex. Those adult’s decadences have also influenced Holden’s
behavior and utterance. Furthermore, Holden realizes that those adult’s
decadences are dangerous for children’s growth. Therefore, he is so worried about
the influences to children, especially, his sister, Phoebe.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

6
1.4.2 Effort
Based on the dictionary in audioenglish.net, effort has four senses. Each
sense has its own meaning. The first sense has a meaning that effort is earnest or
conscious activity intended to do or accomplish something. The second sense,
effort is use for physical or mental energy; hard work. The third sense, effort is a
series of action advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end. The last
sense, effort is a notable achievement. The definition of effort in this study tends
to the first sense.
In this study, the definition of effort has the same meaning with the first
sense. Effort, which is done or wanted by Holden, is a spirit to save the children,
especially Phoebe from adult’s decadences. Holden has some motivations that
guide him to have good desire and purpose. For fulfilling his desire and purpose,
therefore he accomplishes some efforts to save the children, especially Phoebe.
Furthermore, his efforts are actualized in his action and imagination.

1.4.3 True Meaning of The Catcher in the Rye
Holden as the main character of The Catcher in the Rye has stated himself
as the catcher in the rye. Holden’s quotation proves that he wants to save the
children:
“Anyway, I kept picturing all these little kids playing some game in this
big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids and nobody’s
aroundnobody big, I meanexcept me. And I’m standing on the edge
of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they
start to go over the cliffI mean if they’re running and they don’t look
where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them.
That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

7
it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be. I know it’s crazy.”
(p. 156)
There are some important words for analyzing this study. The words are catcher,
field of rye, kids, and crazy cliff. There are definitions of those words according
to Oxford Dictionaries (www.oxforddictionaries.com): catcher (noun) is a person
or thing that catches something; rye (noun) is a wheat-like cereal plant which
tolerates poor soils and low temperatures; field (noun) is an area of open land;
kids (noun, plural), kid is a child or young person; crazy (adjective) is mad
especially as manifested in wild or aggressive behavior; and cliff (noun) is a steep
rock face, especially at the edge of the sea.
Based on this study, the writer analyzes that those definitions point at the
deeper meanings. Catcher is like a guard, who protects someone. Field of rye is
aimed as large land of wheat plants. In this study, the meaning of field of rye is
like a life. Kids are young people that still need love and protection. Crazy Cliff is
aimed as a dangerous place. Moreover, crazy cliff can be implied as adult’s
decadences.

1.4.4 Save
According to Oxford Dictionaries, save is a verb. When save is followed
with object, it has two meaning. The first meaning of save is that to keep safe or
rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger. The second meaning is to
keep and store up (something, especially money) for future use.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

8
In this study, the definition of save has the same meaning with the first
meaning of save that is followed by object. Holden saves the children, especially
Phoebe, means that Holden prevents the children for falling into the world that is
assumed as adult’s world. By preventing the children for falling into adult’s
world, Holden can keep the children from the dangerous things and care to
children’s growth.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter is divided into four parts. The first part is about theories that
will be used for analyzing the problem formulations. Those theories are certainly
relevant to this study. The theories consist of Theory of Character, Theory of
Characterization, Psychological Approach, Theory of Personality, and Theory of
Motivation. The second part is about critical to the novel and the author. This part
consists of viewpoints to the novel and author. The next part is Theoretical
Framework. In this section, the writer will explain about how to apply those
theories in this study. The last part is Context of the Novel, which consists of the
background and the setting of the novel.

2.1 Theoretical Review
There are some theories that are used to analyze this study. Those theories
are related to each other. There are the theory of character, the theory of
characterization, psychological approach, the theory of personality, and the theory
of motivation.

2.1.1 Theory of Character
In this section, there are two important things that contain in the theory of
character; the definition of character and the types of character. The definition of

9

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

10
character will explain about the meaning of the character. Next is about types of
the character. In this part, there are two types of character that commonly appear
in the story.

2.1.1.1 The Definition of Character
Character is one of the important elements in fiction. According to Stanton
(1964, p. 17), term of character is used in two meaning. The first meaning,
character is used to show individuals who appear in the story; “How many
characters are there?”. The second meaning is that character contains of interest,
desires, emotions, and moral principles, which can construct the individuals;
“How would you describe his character?”.
Stanton (1964, pp. 17-18); in his explanations of character; also gives
some evidence how to understand the characters in a story. There are the
character’s name and the author’s explicit description and comment upon the
character; by analyzing the personal description, the reader can visualize the
person and understand the character; and the most important evidence is the
character’s own dialogue and behavior. Every speech and every action can help
the reader to get closer to understand the character.
Hammalian and Karl (1978, p. 190) explain that character is very personal
reason that the reader understand how the other people live, make decisions, and
do the action of responsibility, and also pursue the goals. Next, according to
Robert and Jacobs (1987, p. 119) character is defined as an extended verbal

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

11
representation of human being of conscience that establishes thought, speech, and
behavior.

2.1.1.2 The Types of Character
There are two types of characters; Round character and Flat character,
which are defined by Forster (1927, p. 46). Round character usually dominates the
story. It is a major figure. The author develops and gives them many realistic
traits. The major figure in the story is also known as Protagonist that plays the
central action to oppose the Antagonist. Robert (1987, p. 121) says that round
character has many individual and unpredictable human traits. It is also called as a
Dynamic; the capacity to change or to grow.
Flat character is contrast to the round character. It is usually minor and
static in the story, not as dynamic as round character. Minor character is
representative. It means the minor is not an individual.. However, its character is
very useful and structural in the story. Flat characters are easily to be known when
they appear in the story; it is recognized by the reader’s emotional eye.

2.1.2 Theory of Characterization
There are some specific ways for analyzing characters that are stated by
Boyton in his book Introduction to the Short Story (1972). There are six specific
ways of characterization; what a character does, what a character says, what a
character thinks, how others react to a character, how a character reacts to his
surrounding, and direct description or explanation.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

12
1. What a character does is the way to see the character’s action. By knowing his
action, the reader can know the character’s behavior.
2. What a character says is the way to know the character is. On the other words,
the reader can know his character, by analyzing the words that he says.
3. What a character think is the way to reveal the character portrait by knowing
what thoughts toward the others that live in the character’s mind. A character
may think either bad or good thought toward the others which make the reader
know closely about the inside mind of the character.
4. How others react to a character is the way where other characters take action to
respond him. It means that others can show what they say about him and also
give direct comments to him. The reader can know the character of a person by
the way the others respond him or her. How others react toward him or her say
how the character looks like.
5. How a character reacts to his surrounding is the way to see his action from his
surroundings. The reader can know his respond toward the things or places
that he meets.
6. Direct description or explanation is the way the author describes a character
directly. The author controls everything in his story. The author frankly
explains about the character to the reader. Thus the reader directly knows about
the character’s portrait.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

13
2.1.3 Psychological Approach
Jung had followed Freudian theory of unconscious (as cited in www.carljung.net, (n.d.)). He later developed his own theory on the unconscious. He has
identified five primary functions of the psyche. They are called archetypes. They
are also called as universal patterns of experience.
Those archetypes (as cited in www.trans4mind.com, (n.d.)) are:
1. The persona is an identity we hold and which present to the outside world.
2. The Ego is our center of conscious sense of self. Jung says that
consciousness is always Ego-consciousness. In order to be conscious of
self, person must be able to distinguish himself from others. Relationship
can only take place where this distinction exists.
3. The Shadow is an unconscious part of the ego. It is connected to the Id and
its structures.
4. The Anima is a node of unconscious beliefs and feelings in a man’s
psyche the opposite gender. The animus is the corresponding complex in a
woman’s psyche. These archetypes can be rise into consciousness when
activated by appropriate circumstances.
5. The self is the totally of the entire psyche. It contains all the functions and
around which they orbit.
Those archetypes aim to the collective unconscious. The archetypes are able to
experience and represent basic human behavior and situations.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

14
2.1.4 Theory of Personality
Jung introduces two general types of attitudes. They are introverts and
extroverts. Both types are developed in human life. Moreover, these types of
personality are able to influence the personal condition of each people. Every
people have these types, introvert or extrovert, but the numbers of introvert and
extrovert may different. It is depended from which type that is more developed.
Furthermore, the elaboration of these types will be clarified in the following
explanation.

2.1.4.1 Introvert
Introvert is a psychic energy that moves inside human being. Introvert has
a subjective orientation. A person who is introvert usually focuses on his or her
own inner feeling and thought. This person has a good understanding to his or her
own world. All of things such as preconception, fantasy, dream, and perception
are individual. Introvert person more concerns to his or her private world. The
person will tend to focus his or her attention on his or her own business or needs.
He or she will tend to be antisocial and be lack of confidence. This person actually
accepts anything from world outside him or her, but he or she will be more
selective to receive. The person will see all the things from the world outside him
or her with his or her subjective view.
Jung also tells about his experience about the two phases of introversion
which becomes dominant in himself. The first phase was occurred when he was
adolescent. He started to understand about his other personality. The second phase

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

15
was when he got older and became mature. He faced his unconsciousness. He
involved to the conversation with animal, experienced odd dreams and got the
vision of psychosis that he could not explain (Jung, p. 188).

2.1.4.2 Extrovert
Extroversion is a kind of attitudes that explains about psyches energy that
goes to the outside. A person who is in this type tends to have objective
orientation and go far from subjective orientation. This person will concern on the
external world and interested to the other people. He or she will focus on social
life than his or her internal experiences. This person will be more influenced by
his or her surrounding rather than the condition inside himself or herself.
Extrovert person has a desire to be friendly and open to the things happened in the
world. He or she has a positive view toward the society.

2.1.4.3 The Balance between Introvert and Extrovert
A person is not just having the fully introversion or just the fully
extroversion. Everyone has both of those types, but the balance may have
different proportion or equal proportion. It can be likened as seesaw.
Introvert is Bigger than Extrovert

Extrovert

Introvert

Figure 2.1.3.3 Introvert is bigger than extrovert. [Jess Feist & Gregory Feist (2010), Teori
Kepribadian]

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

16
Introvert is dominant than extrovert. Thus, the person has introvert type. In
this case, he will be more tend to care about his internal world. He will give
priority to his subjective side. The harmful impact from this type is when the
person is too close to the subjective mind, he or she will be far from the objective
world. Thus, the people will have difficulty to be open minded to the things from
the objective world.
Extrovert is Bigger than Introvert
Introvert
Extrovert

Figure 2.1.3.3 Extrovert is bigger than introvert. [Jess Feist & Gregory Feist (2010), Teori
Kepribadian]

Extrovert is more dominant than introvert. The person will be influenced
by his external world. He will focus on the objective side than the subjective side.
The risk for this type of person is that if the influences from the out world are too
strong, he or she will be fallen or be plunged into the objective world and then the
person will be lose himself or feel strange to his subjective world.
Introvert and Extrovert are in Balanced
Introvert

Extrovert

Figure 2.1.3.3 Introvert and extrovert are in balanced. Jess Feist & Gregory Feist (2010),
Teori Kepribadian]

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

17
A person who has balance in introvert and extrovert types can be said that
there is no dominant side between them. The person can be called as
psychologically healthy. He will feel comfortable and enjoy with the internal and
external world. He will be not disturbed with the subjective things or the objective
things.

2.1.5 Theory of Motivation
Maslow has introduced a motivational theory that is called a hierarchy of
needs. The needs include physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness needs,
esteem needs, and self- actualization. The needs are also categorized into two
parts of motivation level; deprivation motivation and growth motivation.
Physiological, safety, belongingness, and esteem needs are categorized in
deprivation motivation. It means that there are four steps from the first level that
has to be fulfilled before going to the last level. The last level is growth
motivation that only consists of one step; self-actualization.
Self-actualization
Esteem needs

GROWTH
MOTIVATION

Belongingness needs

Safety needs

DEPRIVATION
MOTIVAON

Physiological needs
Figure 2.1.4 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs [Herbert L. Petri (1981) Motivation: Theory and
Research]

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

18

Physiological needs are the first step that is commonly had by all people
in the society. These needs have the biggest power than other needs. There are
two important things that differentiate between physiological needs and others
needs. The first thing, physiological needs are the only needs that are always
fulfilled. The second thing, physiological needs are able to be naturally repeated.
Safety needs are the needs after physiological needs. After fulfilling the
physiological needs, people will be motivated to get the safety needs. The safety
needs enable someone to get physical safety, stability safety, protection, and also
freedom which is far from the war, illness, fearfulness, and anxiety. These needs
are different from physiological needs which has all the needs fulfilled. Safety
needs are impossible to fulfill all the people’s safety needs. For example, people
are never protected from meteor, fire, flood or the other dangerous incidents. The
other example is in the country that never had a war, the adult can complete the
safety needs every time thus it makes the safety needs are not important anymore.
On the contrary, the kids are more motivated to get a safety because they face the
fearfulness of dark, animals, and strangers and even the fear of punishment.
Love and belongingness needs are the next step after physiological and
safety needs are fulfilled. These needs involve desire of having friends, lifetime
partner and children, and also being part of family and also society. When people
have been satisfied by love and belongingness since their childhood, they will not
be depressed if their love is not accepted. People who do not ever feel about love
and belongingness, will not realize that love and belongingness are so important

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

19
for their life. People who have a little love and belongingness, later on will be
motivated to seek love and belongingness. Maslow explains that people who have
love in little amount, will look more for happy and acceptance in the large number
than those who have been fulfilled with love and those who do not receive love at
all. Besides, the kids get these needs honestly and directly. Different with adults,
adults get these needs secretly. They behave not like themselves. They pretend
unfriendly to others. But, actually they need love and belongingness.
Esteem needs encompass confidence, self respect, ability, and knowledge.
According to Maslow, there are two degrees of esteem needs; reputation, and selfesteem. Reputation is a perception of prestige and recognition that are viewed by
others people. Self-esteem is a personal feeling that feels he or she is worthy and
useful.
Self-actualization concerns to his or her own potentials. People in selfactualization are so natural. They will fulfill their basic needs and not let
themselves to get pressure. They will defend self-esteem from rejection or abuse.
They will not depend on love and esteem needs. They are independent. But
besides that, people not always moved to get self-actualization when esteem needs
are satisfied. In 1960, Maslow realized that many college students in Brandeis
who had completed their physiological needs, safety needs, love needs, and
esteem needs; they did not directly get the self-actualization.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

20
2.2 Criticisms
There are many critics for this phenomenal novel, The Cather in the Rye.
These critics have negative reviews and also positive reviews. Goodman
commented that the reader would be weary of the main character. She stated that
Holden was a self-centered person. She wrote about Salinger’s novel: “The Cather
in the Rye is a brilliant tour-de-force, but in a writer of Salinger’s undeniable
talent

one

expects

something

more.”

Adapted

from

http://www.levity.com/corduroy/salinger1.htm
James Stern, who joined the New York Times, gave the critics to The
Cather in the Rye. The critic is adapted from Lomazoff (1996), through
www.levity.com. James Stern said that:
” That’s the way it sounds to me, Hel said (a friend of the author) and away she
went with this crazy book, The Catcher in the Rye. What did I tell ya, she said the
next day. This Salingder, he’s a short story guy. And he knows how to write
about kids. This book, though, it’s too long. Gets kinds of monotonous. And he
should have cut out a lot about these jerks and all at that crumby school. They
depress me. They really do. Salinger, he’s best with real children. I mean the ones
like Phoebe, his kid sister. She’s a personality. Holden and little Phoebe, Hel said,
they kill me. This last part about her and this Mr. Antolini, the only guy Holden
ever thought he could trust, who ever took any interest in him, and who turned
out queer—that’s terrific. I swear it is.”

His critic of this novel was based on the length of the novel which is too long and
melancholy nature. He also commented that the novel was too depressive. He also
saw that Salinger’s ability was writing about the children and adolescents. It was
proved from others Salinger’s short stories.
Other commentators said that Holden’s character is erratic and unreliable,
moreover the structure of the novel personifies Holden’s unstable state of mind.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

21
One of the commentators, Alastair Best, said that this novel was hard to be read
because of the classical structure.

2.3 Theoretical Framework
In this study, there are many theories that can help the writer to analyze
the problems. The theories are the theory of character, theory of characterization,
the psychological approach, theory of personality, and theory of motivation.
Those theories are able to help the reader to understand the topic easier.
Moreover, those theories are related each other to analyze this study.
The major point of this study is to find the efforts and the reasons of
Holden to save the children, especially his sister, Phoebe, from adult’s
decadences. Besides that, this study also analyzes the main character’s personality
in The Catcher in the Rye. Those major points are shared into two problem
formulations. Later on, these problem formulations use psychological approach.
The psychological approach in this study is implied into personality and
motivation. Furthermore, the first problem formulation uses the basic review of
literature theory. The theories are the theory of character, the theory of
characterization, and the theory of personality. These theories of character and
characterization give some analyses about the characters of the main character,
Holden Caulfield. The next theory is the theory of personality. This theory gives
explanation about human personality. This personality tends to go to the type of
introvert and extrovert. After analyzing the characters of Holden, the reader will
know Holden’s personality which is involved into introvert or extrovert. The

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

22
second problem formulation uses the theory of motivation. This theory is applied
to analyze Holden’s effort to save the children, especially Phoebe, from adult’s
decadences. In this part, there is also a connection between the motive for saving
Phoebe and Holden’s personality.
In order to get more understanding from this study, these theories will be
applied in analyzing the problem formulations in Chapter 4. The point is that
every theory, which is used, is connected each other. Therefore, the first problem
formulation and its theories are related to the second problem formulation and its
theories. Hence, the reader can understand this study deeper.

2.4 Context of the Novel
The Catcher in the Rye was written by J.D. Salinger in the late 1940s until
the early 1950. The setting of time was in 1940s when the Post-World War II
happened. The setting of place where he wrote The Catcher in the Rye was in
New York. This novel was first published in July 1951 by Little, Brown and
Company.
In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger showed the readers that the story
was lasted for three days. It was started on Saturday in the afternoon until
Monday. Holden mentioned that he was seventeen years old when he told the
story to the readers. He began to leave Pencey Prep, when he was sixteen. Holden
also mentioned that Allie had died in July 1946. Allie was eleven years old and
Holden was thirteen. It can be concluded that the story was begun in around 1948-

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

23
1949. J.D. Salinger started his novel, when Holden in Pencey Prep, Pennsylvania
until Holden escaped to New York.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY

In this section, there are three parts that will be discussed. This section
consists of Subject Matter, Approach, and Procedures. In the subject matter, it will
be described a little about the novel and the objectives of the study. In the part of
approach, it will be explained about the approach that is used. In this part, it will
be also explained about the reason why the writer used that approach. In the
procedures part, the steps of analyzing the problem will be discussed.

3.1 Subject Matter
The subject matter of this study is The Catcher in the Rye. The novel was
written by J.D. Salinger. It was first published in July 1951 after World War II by
Little, Brown and Company. The Catcher in the Rye has 192 pages. This novel
consists of 26 chapters. Salinger uses English for telling the story. The genre of
this novel is bildungsroman (coming-of-age novel). Salinger described the setting
of place in Pencey Prep.; his school, bar, hotel, and park in New York. The setting
of time was in a Christmas holiday season.
The novel presents the teenager as its main character. The main character
is Holden Caulfield. This character will be very phenomenal. Salinger tells reader
about the plots by using Holden as the first point of view. Holden is a teenager
who is flunked out from Pencey Prep because he fails in many subjects. He
realizes that all people in Pencey Prep are phony and bastard. He decides to spend
24

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

25
his rest of time in New York before he gets home to meet his family. During his
journey in spending his time, he meets many people. He always feels that most of
them are phony. He almost does not like them. Besides that, Holden states himself
to be the catcher in the rye. His motivation is to save the children, especially
Phoebe, from the cruel world or adult’s decadences. Holden then tries to protect
his sister from adult’s decadences.

3.2 Approach
The approach that is used in this study is psychological approach.
Commonly, psychological approach is often used in every thesis when discussing
literature. This approach is from Carl Jung’s theory. This approach is able to find
out the Holden’s personality. Moreover, this approach is sensed better to analyze
human personality. Psychological approach helps the writer to analyze the
problem formulations easier. Besides that, this approach can also find